Zeze, inspired by José Mauro de Vasconcelos’s My Sweet Orange Tree, comes under fire for its handling of a story often taught in schools
A Brazilian novel first published more than 40 years ago has unexpectedly become a highly sought-after read, after the Korean pop star IU was accused of sexualising the story of its five-year-old protagonist in one of her songs.
José Mauro de Vasconcelos’s My Sweet Orange Tree, first published in Portuguese in 1968 and in English in 1970, is set in Rio de Janeiro and follows the life of the boy Zeze, as he gets up to mischief and is mistreated. “Everyone beats him. If you look softhearted he will tell you it’s revolting the way they beat on a little kid. Can you believe him when he says he’s only six? No! The boy is a liar. He is five years old,” runs the copy on the first UK edition.
My Sweet Orange Tree has been out of print in English for years, but Abebooks.com has reported that the novel became its most searched-for title late last week after controversy enveloped IU’s pop song Zeze, which is based on the story. The bookseller’s Richard Davies said that My Sweet Orange Tree was “a much-loved book in South Korea and often studied in schools”.
According link, the book’s Korean publisher has issued a statement saying that: “We regret the way the five-year-old character is portrayed as a sexual object.”
The paper quotes lines from IU’s song which run: “Zeze, come on up the tree quick and kiss the leaves, don’t be naughty and don’t hurt the tree, come up the tree and get the youngest leaf … you are innocent but shrewd, transparent but dirty and there is no way of knowing what’s living inside.”
IU has since issued an apology, translated by the K-pop Herald, in which she describes My Sweet Orange Tree as a “treasured book”, and says: “I swear I did not write the lyrics to sexualise a five-year-old child. The Zeze in my song is a third-party fictional creation taken from the motif in the original novel.”
She goes on to apologise, writing: “However, after listening to the opinions of those who have listened to the song, I came to realise that its contents could have given offence and even caused some to grieve. I am wholly responsible for my immature handling of things as a lyricist.”
Source: link
A Brazilian novel first published more than 40 years ago has unexpectedly become a highly sought-after read, after the Korean pop star IU was accused of sexualising the story of its five-year-old protagonist in one of her songs.
José Mauro de Vasconcelos’s My Sweet Orange Tree, first published in Portuguese in 1968 and in English in 1970, is set in Rio de Janeiro and follows the life of the boy Zeze, as he gets up to mischief and is mistreated. “Everyone beats him. If you look softhearted he will tell you it’s revolting the way they beat on a little kid. Can you believe him when he says he’s only six? No! The boy is a liar. He is five years old,” runs the copy on the first UK edition.
My Sweet Orange Tree has been out of print in English for years, but Abebooks.com has reported that the novel became its most searched-for title late last week after controversy enveloped IU’s pop song Zeze, which is based on the story. The bookseller’s Richard Davies said that My Sweet Orange Tree was “a much-loved book in South Korea and often studied in schools”.
According link, the book’s Korean publisher has issued a statement saying that: “We regret the way the five-year-old character is portrayed as a sexual object.”
The paper quotes lines from IU’s song which run: “Zeze, come on up the tree quick and kiss the leaves, don’t be naughty and don’t hurt the tree, come up the tree and get the youngest leaf … you are innocent but shrewd, transparent but dirty and there is no way of knowing what’s living inside.”
IU has since issued an apology, translated by the K-pop Herald, in which she describes My Sweet Orange Tree as a “treasured book”, and says: “I swear I did not write the lyrics to sexualise a five-year-old child. The Zeze in my song is a third-party fictional creation taken from the motif in the original novel.”
She goes on to apologise, writing: “However, after listening to the opinions of those who have listened to the song, I came to realise that its contents could have given offence and even caused some to grieve. I am wholly responsible for my immature handling of things as a lyricist.”
Source: link
An affiliate of Loen Tree told Newsen on February 3, “The reports claiming that IU’s album will be released in April are not true. It’s too early to discuss the comeback date.”
The affiliate added, “The usual sequence of making a comeback involves deciding on the artist’s concept and collecting the songs. But IU’s songs or concept have not been decided on.”
IU released the remake album A Flower Bookmark in May of 2014 and has been carrying out her schedules of filming commercials.
source: link
Recently, Unionbay released a set of photos of the pair getting close and comfortable with each other while they modeled apparel from the casual clothing brand. The stars wore jeans of every shade and even a few bright colored shirts and jackets. The well known celebrity friends recommended each other for the modeling gig, and now they are both reaping the rewards.
IU and Hyun Woo even admitted that they would like to work together if a good project comes their way.
I don't know about you, but I'm wholeheartedly rooting for these two to date. They are adorable together! The young stars, who are both 21 years old, are already good friends, so love should naturally come next.
credit: DramaFever
Best friends are there for one another, even when separated by long distances or simply being a part of different K-Pop groups. Here are 8 famous friendships to celebrate.
Check out these best friends of K-Pop in this list of 8 Famous Friendships Between K-Pop Idols
SHINee’s Taemin & Exo-K’s Kai
BTOB’s Minhyuk & Vixx’s N
Infinite’s Woohyun & SHINee’s Key
EXO's Luhan & Lay
Miss A’s Suzy & IU
BEAST’s Doojoon & MBLAQ’s Lee Joon
f(x)’s Amber & Miss A’s Min
source: koreaboo
Check out these best friends of K-Pop in this list of 8 Famous Friendships Between K-Pop Idols
SHINee’s Taemin & Exo-K’s Kai
BTOB’s Minhyuk & Vixx’s N
Infinite’s Woohyun & SHINee’s Key
EXO's Luhan & Lay
Miss A’s Suzy & IU
BEAST’s Doojoon & MBLAQ’s Lee Joon
f(x)’s Amber & Miss A’s Min
source: koreaboo